opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
U.S. strategic competition with China.
This war Stop being a medley story the moment the first oil tanker changed course in the Persian Gulf. What I mean is, Strait of Hormuz is the most important energy bottleneck on earth. Everybody knows it is the most important energy bottleneck on earth. And if it was the threat from Iran last time, this time Iran has partially done it. It is so narrow, IRGC has a lot of control over it. Just like in the Strait of Malacca, army/navy has control over it. Similarly, here the Iranians have control over it. And recently, China, Russia, and Iran have already conducted war games. So it is this narrow, 33 kilometers wide, you are hearing about it everywhere, everybody is talking about it. It is the width of a large city. So in this narrow passage, which holds 20% of the world's oil, one fifth of the world's oil and gas goes through, it is around 17 million barrels per day. There is no realistic alternative route except the Strait of Hormuz. If we close this passage, its consequences will not stop at any one border. Europe will pay, Japan will pay, India, South Korea, China, everybody pays the price. So a theory is floating around, which backs my argument that China is the target. It is that in Washington circles, there is a discussion going on, let's be honest, if this happens, what do we have to do? The hawkish people there say that this disruption should be allowed because it does not impact them as much as it impacts those countries, which I have just mentioned. So let's take this opportunity that the slowdown of China's energy supply can be slowed down. Trap Beijing in such an expensive moment as long as this congestion remains in the Strait of Hormuz, it remains closed, partially or completely. Iran keeps Beijing hit very badly from an energy security point of view. So the containment policy of China that is already going on is an added bonus. So imagine, on one hand, you are doing everything with technology and trade, imposing tariffs, treating them in the South China Sea, imagine all this. And from the other side, almost 90% of the oil and gas supplies go to China. If it is blocked for a few days, how badly it will hit China. So imagine, while the world is suffering, they are only having strategic designs in their minds.
By Ibrahim Shah 11 days ago in The Swamp
The Most Shocking Revelation of the Clinton Epstein Testimony
In 2019, Jeffrey Epstein, a man who made multiple trips to visit the Whitehouse during the Clinton years, and was tied to at least one other president, Donald J. Trump, was indicted and taken into custody on human trafficking charges as a result of a long standing investigation into illicit sexual encounters, sex with and the trafficking of minors, and other varied accusations.
By The Man Behind The Mask14 days ago in The Swamp
Parallel Protests. Top Story - March 2026.
I haven't written for quite some time, but I have A LOT of thoughts about yesterday's protest rally against our government's involvement and complicity in America's war on Iran, on the harbourside of my home city Bristol, and I need to put them somewhere. My gorgeous girlfriend is always a loving and listening ear and sharing it all with her will always be a healthy and happy way of processing the mental and emotional weight, but getting it straight in my brain to share means writing it all down in straight lines, so, here we are and thanks for being here.
By Steph Cole15 days ago in The Swamp
Labour Minister: We Are Back to The Future.
I have often thought that Russia being bogged down in Ukraine making incremental gains against a stubborn Ukraine defence is similar to when Japan was bogged down in China before the Second World War fighting the Chinese Nationalist forces for little gain. Yes, the Japanese like Russia now made some gains in captured territory. But at a huge cost to both sides like Russia and Ukraine now. In that respect history is repeating itself where another country invades and expects a victory to be in the enemy capital very soon, much like how US forces captured Baghdad in 2003. However, for Japan in China then and for Russia in Ukraine now that didn't/hasn't happened. Both Japan in China then and Russia in Ukraine now ended up in a slog fest with total victory out of sight.
By Nicholas Bishop20 days ago in The Swamp
U.S. National Security Strategy (General Framework)
Here’s an overview of the United States’ national security policy and strategy toward Pakistan, Greenland, and Venezuela under the current (2025-26) administration — based on official strategy documents and reporting on major developments.
By Ibrahim Shah 20 days ago in The Swamp
What resources does Venezuela have — apart from the world’s most oil?
Largest known oil reserves Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels as of 2023, more than five times the amount the United States has, which is 55.25 billion barrels.
By Ibrahim Shah 21 days ago in The Swamp
Iran Wants Deal Apparently!!!
Protests have flared up again over the weekend in Iran. As the university term started, students gathered on campuses to protest the regime and show their support for it. This time, these protests are not as great as the ones in January. Some thought the clerical regime could be swept away as the Shah's regime was in 1979, which led to the rise of the Ayatollahs.
By Nicholas Bishop23 days ago in The Swamp
The Future of Military Power Is Space Power
For centuries, military dominance has been defined by control over land and sea. In the 20th century, air power reshaped warfare, and nuclear weapons introduced a new level of deterrence. In the 21st century, however, a new domain is emerging as the decisive frontier of strategic competition: space. The future of military power is increasingly tied to space power—control of satellites, orbital infrastructure, and the technologies that operate beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
By Ibrahim Shah 23 days ago in The Swamp
